Auto Parts: !964 283 cu. in. ignition coil., ballast resistor, v8 chevy

Question
Mike,
 I am in the process of re-building a 1964 283 cu. in. Chevrolet V-8. The terminals + & - on the ignition coil are missing the wires. What connects to these terminals??? Does one originate from the distributor?? Thank you.

Answer
    Assuming that you are using the original distributor, the - terminal should connect to the single wire that comes out of the distributor.  If that wire is boogered up, you can buy or order a new distributor lead from any big parts store.  Just ask for a "distributor lead," that's where they are in the catalog, in case you get a counterman who isn't familiar with points-type ignition.  The + side of the coil is connected to the ignition switch.  If you are using this engine in the original car, just connect the original lead to the coil.  If you are using it in something else, then you have to make sure that there is a "ballast resistor" spliced into the wire between the switch and the coil.  An ordinary universal ballast should do the job.  If your parts store no longer carries them, they can order one, or you could probably get one in a marine store, as most boats still use them.  If you don't have the ballast, the points will burn out pretty fast.  Something else you want to check is the points themselves.  If you are using a new set (VERY good idea), make sure you buy the best ones you can find.  Even then, you want to check and adjust (by bending the metal plate they are mounted on) the points to make sure that the entire flat surface of one point meets the entire flat surface of the other point.  The greater the contact surface, the more current will flow across the points, and, therefore, the stronger the spark will be.  I would recommend buying Standard Motor Products' "Blue Streak" points, and I would recommend using the "Uniset" rather than the separate points and condenser for the V8 Chevy.  When you go to set them, you can set them with a feeler gauge, but should check the dwell with a dwell meter, if you can find one.  That's why they put the little window in the distributor cap, so that you can reach in there with an allen wrench and adjust the dwell angle while the engine is running.  The dwell angle is determined by the points gap, but will vary between each set of points you buy, and it is the angle that is critical to performance, so that is what should really be adjusted.  Some old-timer you know should have an old dwell meter tucked away somewhere.